Priyanka's Brand new Single Exotic

Priyanka Chopra's brand new single Exotic is finally out. What's more, it is certainly a cheap follow-up for her music career, post In my City. Unlike her debutant single, Exotic features PitBull - the singing sensation, who features in more than half the song.

In my City had a universal appeal to it, owing to its music and lyrics which every one in the world could relate to. Though it did not make sense to have Indian rickshaws on the streets of New York, the concept could be justified as PC's Indian nationality. However, the lyrics of this new number seem vague and do not do justice to the picturization of the video (or, the other way round)!
 
It begins with a sultry Priyanka emerging from the waters, wearing skin color swimwear. That explains the sex appeal aspect of the music video, but what follows is quite a disappointment.
To begin with, PC's voice is barely heard in isolation; the digitalization of music industry seems to have had a serious negative impact on her career. It is as though she is trying way too hard to carve a niche for herself, by adding layers of parallel voices; but that effort is only making a mess out of the music.

Her new single may be shot on a bigger scale and budget, but it lacks character and direction.
There seems to be nothing "exotic" about the video. The theme is all over the place, the music is not even half as catchy as that of In my city. Her costumes are way too many to grasp in the four and a half minutes.

The only exotic aspect in the video, is perhaps the use of Hindi lyrics, which only appear as an absurd insertion in the video. What's worse, they indicate an Indian woman's ecstasy upon being approved or accepted by an 'angrezi babu'! Hello! Are we back in the 80's? There is Bollywood style choreography that go in tandem with the Hindi lyrics.

Being an Indian actress, it goes unexplained as to why PC considers Hindi lyrics "exotic"? Or is the video meant to cater only to the overseas audience? If so, then why include International Pop star PitBull? PC could have just sung a complete Hindi song and named is "Exotic". Why did Priyanka make a fusion video and call it "exotic"?

It is not easy to gauge, whether the video is exotic for the English speaking American audience, or for the Hindi patrons back in India?
May be, next time PC should take into consideration the decades old idea of Globalization, before choosing a theme for her numbers. Stick to universal themes, (like In my City), if you are in fact aiming to become an international pop star sensation yourself, is the only advise we have for her!

Confessions of a not-so-avid-reader!

Novels in paperback forms are a stress buster. Usually, readers prefer paperback over digital kindles or reading online. What do you do when you buy your favorite author's latest novel paperback edition, and yet feel lazy to give it a read...? Well, it is certainly a tricky situation!
You some how make your way through the first page, your mind is trying to hard to marginalize distractions and spare time for your hobby. You read the first page about four times, before your brain could grasp the contents in its entirety. You feel drowsy and bored. Guilt takes over. You are disappointed in yourself for not treating your new novel with respect. Then comes contemplation, you wonder, of the author has done an equally brilliant job with this new novel, like he did on the previous ones...? You don't know! You then think, why must I read it without reading reviews about it? What if it's a waste of time? What if you should no have bought the book in the first place? Will the book remain a virgin, much like your other impulse buys, that are now sad and alone in some corner of your book shelf?
Guilt strikes again! If the author could undergo so much trouble in writing the book, then why can't i spare some time simply reading it? Damn! I should just be abandoned from the face of the planet! People like me are a blob on the name of literate population! Why am I even allowed the luxury to buy books of my choice!

After about half an hour of messaging friends that you are busy reading your new muse...

The new episode of Suits is out! Bye everyone, I really gotta watch it!

Karaoke Night!

The idea of a Karaoke night with friends was exciting! I was nervous because I knew I would want to sing, but would feel intimidated by my friends, who sing in professional bands! But what the heck! A shot was totally worth it!
We got dressed for the night and my efforts were channelized towards looking slim, I even chose black for the night...
Upon reaching, the place seemed a little dull and I did not know most people. The Christ College times anxiety was slowly creeping in my brain. Most people knew I was a shy and quiet girl. Bah! If only I had the guts to shed all inhibitions in college and show people who I actually am...But, better late than never!
I ordered for a cocktail, which my friend made a bet on. If I chugged the drink at a go, he would buy me any drink of my choice; call it greed, or the excitement of taking up a challenge, but i took the bet. Not to mention, I wont it too! I was honestly surprised at myself :P And my friend was too! He bought my favorite Cranberry Breezer!
The party was just about to kickstart and they were calling out for Karaoke registrations. I registered for Titanium. I had had the dream of performing that song since ever! I think, it began when an ex-christite, performed it at the Hard Rock Cafe`! I was in love with the David Guetta number ever since!
Turned out, that my Imbroglio friends had registered me for Mama Mia too! It was four of us at the mike, so none of us could really be heard :P Someone pointed out that one of us must do the lead part alone! I don't know what came over me, but I totally grabbed the mic and sang it all by myself! Music gets me going like nothing else does! That's why Karaoke is so special an act in itself, it makes you a star, it makes you feel like the performer you have always wanted to be! And last night, was simply amazing. Dim lights, spirited yet behaved crowd. People were enjoying creating as well as listening to melody! It was all so gorgeous.
Titanium and Mama Mia totally rocked and I felt as though the bathroom singer finally got her much yearned for outlet!
Somewhere down the line, last night also proved to be an outcome of the noetic science theory of attracting reality through thoughts. I had dreamed of such an evening a number of times and every time I screamed TITANIUM, I saw a huge crowd before me, cheering for me! Last night's reality was close to my imagination.
Karaoke night taught me the power of positive thinking, the ability to believe in oneself and never to feel intimidated by anyone, be it the most successful person in your field. You are unique and you are loved for being so! Amen.

Cocooned!

Cocoon is often criticized as one's comfort zone. What does one's comfort zone really do? It helps one de-stress. When your teacher, boss or mentor asks you to step out of your comfort zone, they are actually just asking you to gain Eustress - the amount of stress required to perform well.
Cocoons can be of sorts, some are your set of friends, some are simply your ethics, which help you cope with peer pressure. It could even be a self-image that you wish to live with. My question is, is it really a bad thing? Bad enough to be considered the zone of the coverts or lazy folks? May be not!
A cocoon is a beautiful place. It tells you exactly who you are. It always keeps that side of you alive, which you wish to leave behind. It is a reminder of your evolution from what you were, to what you are today. Most importantly, it is one of those few things in this world, that are constant. You can always come back to it. And it will never judge you. It will make you feel at home.
So, on that Sunday evening, when you are engulfed by thoughts and mysteries, you could always use a reference point - your Cocoon. Enjoy it, cherish it and respect it. It is what defines you the most!

Dichotomy in the ideology of Fashion...

Clothes, accessories, shoes, bags, fragrances, the works, are pieces of iconography. They are often classified as status symbols, or style statement. How important is it then to choose them, so that they compliment your personality...? Perhaps, very!
Geeks go with baggy pants, sneakers, nerdy specs, and funky accessories, to define their role. Clothes then, become a non-verbal form of communication which helps you carve a niche for yourself in the society. You might ask, why is it so important for everyone to fit into this society? Is there no dichotomy in the fact that on one hand you are trying to define yourself with your clothes, but on the other hand you are trying to make a personal statement of class, interest, nature or sometimes rebellion, to the world?
Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Aldo, Prada, and brands of the likes of it, are all meant to portray your taste and capacity to pay. But if this is all about your taste and preferences, why must you go for something mass produced and over priced, in the first place? How are these brands then helping you find your niche, your personality? Similarly, when you eagerly buy those red pants, because they are the new "in thing", how are you really defining yourself? You are simply giving into an already paved trajectory. This is where the dichotomy in the basic ideology of fashion lies...
May be it's time to be innovative, creative and most importantly, yourself!
Mix and match, don't be afraid of making bold choices.
Believe in what you wear and wear what you believe in!

Guilt...and more

A universal phenomena, a stressful feeling, guilt is a painful truth, which we all encounter at some point in our lives. As a child, we feel guilty about lying to our parents, as a teenager, we feel it for our first kiss at 14! As and when we reach adulthood, we would have already learned about subsiding guilt. What we think and what we do, are two different things. Guilt is usually an outcome of something we wise humans did not think through.
But, what happens if this fundamental phenomenon is pulled out of our lives? What if it never came out of the Pandora's box? What if it never existed!? Have you ever imagined how life would be then? It is certainly not to easy to imagine!
Would life be wonderful, or would it be too good to be true? I don't know! There is only one way to find out. Usually, we do not feel guilty, but are made to feel instead. By our teacher, mother, mother-in-law, friend or enemy. Almost all people linked to our lives, make us feel ashamed of our own self at some point. Do we sit back and let them do it to us? Or, do we face them boldly and tell them "I am what I am and I cannot change for anyone." Do not mistake the confidence with obstinacy. Both have their pros and cons. But, does guilt have any pros (if at all)? Perhaps no.
Live without guilt, live free, embrace your identity, and you will never have to cry. :)

Passionate much?

"Passion" is the most common utterance among the youth today. Some feel they know all about it, while some are happy to even sacrifice it. But what exactly is Passion? What does it do? Does it give your life a new path, or does it simply infuse excitement in your psyche? Hard to answer, isn't it? I am a writer by profession, a content writer to be precise. I thought I knew what I was doing with my life. I had the correct credentials for this job, an English Major with Honors; unlike most of my colleagues who only took up this job as a consequence of disillusion.
Chain of thought...LOST! Why? 'Coz my friend pinged my on the adjacent Facebook Tab :/
Let's start over. So while we - the so called writers, read philosophical books such as Paulo Coelho's Alchemist and conclude that we know what passion is all about, and what it is capable of, are we being totally honest with ourselves? I don't think so.
There have been times, when I have introspected and tried to dig up my real interests in life, I have failed. I might be going around town, telling people that I am an accomplished person, because I am doing what I like, and not simply slogging for a job that I hate. But deep inside, I am scared to embrace the real passion. Passion has this meta effect to itself. It can blind you with dreams and excitement, but it can also make you lie to yourself. I was a talented little girl, until I took my very first internship at a national daily. 
As a matter of fact, I am an aspiring journalist, and wanted to take to writing, only so that I can help people with the my knowledge. I was always a pro at English language. I give the credit to my Mother, who always encouraged me for the same. But I still do not know where my passion lies in. This blog is an attempt to get clarity in my thoughts (and well, also build my CV =P), so that one day I can gauge the meaning of this hot word!